Infighting Within the Chinese Communist Party

Overview

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is often perceived as a monolithic organization, but in reality, it has a long history of internal factionalism and power struggles. These internal dynamics have become especially pronounced under Xi Jinping’s leadership, with purges, shifting alliances, and policy disputes shaping the party’s direction. ^[1][2][3]

Key Factions and Power Struggles

1. Xi Jinping’s Faction

• Xi has consolidated power by promoting loyalists from regions where he previously served (Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shaanxi) and from Tsinghua University, his alma mater. ^[4][5]
• His dominance has led to the marginalization of rival factions, especially since the 19th and 20th Party Congresses. ^[5:1]

2. The Shanghai Clique (Jiang Zemin Faction)

• Once led by former President Jiang Zemin, this group included many officials from Shanghai and other coastal provinces.
• The faction’s influence has waned due to Xi’s anti-corruption campaign and targeted purges, but remnants still exist, especially in regional patronage networks. ^[5:2][6]

3. Communist Youth League (Tuanpai)

• This “populist” faction, associated with former President Hu Jintao and Premier Li Keqiang, focused on grassroots and social welfare policies.
• Xi has systematically sidelined this group, removing its key members from top leadership positions. ^[5:3][7][8]

4. Other Minor Factions

• Economic interests and personal networks have also given rise to smaller groups, such as the “Petroleum Faction” and technocratic cliques. ^[9]

Recent Developments and Manifestations of Infighting

• Military Purges: Xi has removed several top military officials, including defense ministers and Central Military Commission members, often under the guise of anti-corruption. These purges are widely seen as efforts to eliminate rivals and ensure loyalty, but they also signal ongoing distrust and instability within the military hierarchy. ^{[2:1][3:1][4:1][10]}
• Leadership Disputes: Rumors of Xi’s health and alleged attempts by party elders to push for his resignation have circulated, reflecting dissatisfaction with his leadership amid economic and geopolitical challenges. ^[3:2][11]
• Policy Disagreements: Differences between Xi’s “grand vision” and the more pragmatic, grassroots-oriented approach of sidelined factions like the Youth League have led to internal debates over economic and social policy. ^[5:4]
• Regional Power Bases: Some regions, such as Guangxi, have seen purges linked to factional struggles, particularly where local officials are tied to rival networks. ^[6:1]

Mechanisms of Control and Suppression

• Anti-Corruption Campaigns: Used as a tool to remove rivals and consolidate power, these campaigns have targeted both high-level and regional officials. ^[4:2][5:5]
• Centralization of Authority: Xi has diminished the role of collective leadership, formalized leading small groups, and altered recruitment patterns to favor his allies. ^[5:6]
• Suppression of Factionalism: The CCP officially denounces factionalism, and those accused of forming “cliques” face severe punishment, as seen in the high-profile purges of officials like Sun Lijun. ^[5:7]

Implications

• Leadership Uncertainty: The lack of a clear succession plan and the sidelining of rival factions could lead to a turbulent transition if Xi were to leave power unexpectedly. ^[11:1]
• Policy Instability: Factional infighting can result in inconsistent policy implementation and uncertainty, especially during periods of economic or social stress. ^[4:3][12]
• Military Readiness: Ongoing purges and distrust within the military may undermine the CCP’s ability to project power or respond to crises. ^[10:1]

Conclusion

While Xi Jinping has achieved an unprecedented level of personal control over the CCP, internal infighting persists beneath the surface. Factional struggles, purges, and policy disputes continue to shape the party’s internal dynamics, with significant implications for China’s governance and stability. ^{[2:2][3:3][5:8]}

Citations:

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1. Understanding the Chinese Communist Party in the Era of Xi Jinping ↩︎

2. Xi Jinping’s Purges Have Escalated. Here’s Why They Are Unlikely to Stop ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

3. Xi Jinping, Power Struggles and Successor Lists in the CCP ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

4. The Chinese Communist Party’s Politics 2024/2025 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

5. Faction Politics in China and its Implications for the 20th Party Congress ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

6. Purges in China’s Guangxi Hint at Rare Earths Smuggling, Factional Struggle ↩︎ ↩︎

7. China’s Xi Deals Knockout Blow to Once-powerful Youth League Faction ↩︎

8. Xi Removes Youth League Faction from New Leadership – Think China ↩︎

9. Factionalism in the Chinese Communist Party: From Mao to Now ↩︎

10. Xi May Not Control, Trust the CCP’s Military, Analysts Say ↩︎ ↩︎

11. Power at the Brink: Looming Leadership Crises in China and Russia ↩︎ ↩︎

12. What the Politburo’s New Regulation on Policy Coordination Say About Xi’s Power ↩︎